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What's Ahead For The U.S. Space Program

JPL engineers install the starboard legs and wheels on the Mars 2020 rover.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
JPL engineers install the starboard legs and wheels on the Mars 2020 rover.

Copyright 2019 NPR

Joe Palca is a science correspondent for NPR. Since joining NPR in 1992, Palca has covered a range of science topics — everything from biomedical research to astronomy. He is currently focused on the eponymous series, "Joe's Big Idea." Stories in the series explore the minds and motivations of scientists and inventors. Palca is also the founder of NPR Scicommers – A science communication collective.